Subject: RE: [OZTL_NET] TL and cataloguing - the importance of the catalogue
Well said Noel - once upon a time librarians/information managers used
cataloguing as the great mystery that differentiated them from the rest of
the universe. Now it is usually a task for the Lib Tech (original) and
Library Officer (copy). TLs especially, have other things to do and new
roles to fill - like curriculum designer using quality resources in many
formats and delivery modes, embedding information literacy skills
development in said programs across the school, maintaining and nuturing
literacy skills using a variety of different formats and delivery modes
(some of which like the screen require different skills for students to make
meaning from text), as information specialists and advisors on copyright,
FOI, IP and cybersafety/security. Not to mention AUPs (accepatble use
policies), integrating one-to-one laptop programs into curriculum, ebooks,
electronic resources and virtual library services.
There is SO MUCH to do, so much our students, teachers, senior admin and
parents are unaware of in this brave new information landscape. I despair
when people are still arguing over who does the housekeeping!
Don't get me wrong here - the housekeeping is extremely important. Your
systems have to be running at an optimum level otherwise you will
continually chase your tail trying to keep everything ticking over. However,
these are things you manage as the professional staff member, delegate and
let others do it while you as a TL get on with the teaching and learning
part of your role.
Beware the pull and myth of technology too - I have noticed a scary trend in
new librarians who now use Web 2.0 instead of cataloguing as the mystery
that separates them from everyone else. Had a student last year who came
back from a conference groaning about Web 2.0 and wanted to know why we just
don't call it the Web. A good point - next year it may be Web 4.2 (Web 3.0
is already here).
We need to stand back and look carefully at what we do, work out how to
delegate to others, see the library space/resource centre/learning
commons/icentre or whatever you want to call it and ask ourselves if it is
relevant to our clients - remembering that while it may be relevant, if they
perceive it as irrelevant then that is what it is. We also need to decide
who our clients are - basically they are teachers first, admin second and
then students third. TLs are specialist support teachers for teachers first,
information specialists for admin and teachers, and the library lady/guy for
the students third.
We are also part of the school community and our biggest advocates are an
untapped source - the parents. Make sure they know who you are - offer PD,
book clubs, newletter items and go to P&C/parents & friends meetings with
something. A little time spent here may have huge dividends at a later date. http://issuu.com/anneweaver/docs/reports http://theunquietlibrarian.**wordpress.com/2010/06/01/the-**
Well said Noel - once upon a time librarians/information managers used
cataloguing as the great mystery that differentiated them from the rest of
the universe. Now it is usually a task for the Lib Tech (original) and
Library Officer (copy). TLs especially, have other things to do and new
roles to fill - like curriculum designer using quality resources in many
formats and delivery modes, embedding information literacy skills
development in said programs across the school, maintaining and nuturing
literacy skills using a variety of different formats and delivery modes
(some of which like the screen require different skills for students to make
meaning from text), as information specialists and advisors on copyright,
FOI, IP and cybersafety/security. Not to mention AUPs (accepatble use
policies), integrating one-to-one laptop programs into curriculum, ebooks,
electronic resources and virtual library services.
There is SO MUCH to do, so much our students, teachers, senior admin and
parents are unaware of in this brave new information landscape. I despair
when people are still arguing over who does the housekeeping!
Don't get me wrong here - the housekeeping is extremely important. Your
systems have to be running at an optimum level otherwise you will
continually chase your tail trying to keep everything ticking over. However,
these are things you manage as the professional staff member, delegate and
let others do it while you as a TL get on with the teaching and learning
part of your role.
Beware the pull and myth of technology too - I have noticed a scary trend in
new librarians who now use Web 2.0 instead of cataloguing as the mystery
that separates them from everyone else. Had a student last year who came
back from a conference groaning about Web 2.0 and wanted to know why we just
don't call it the Web. A good point - next year it may be Web 4.2 (Web 3.0
is already here).
We need to stand back and look carefully at what we do, work out how to
delegate to others, see the library space/resource centre/learning
commons/icentre or whatever you want to call it and ask ourselves if it is
relevant to our clients - remembering that while it may be relevant, if they
perceive it as irrelevant then that is what it is. We also need to decide
who our clients are - basically they are teachers first, admin second and
then students third. TLs are specialist support teachers for teachers first,
information specialists for admin and teachers, and the library lady/guy for
the students third.
We are also part of the school community and our biggest advocates are an
untapped source - the parents. Make sure they know who you are - offer PD,
book clubs, newletter items and go to P&C/parents & friends meetings with
something. A little time spent here may have huge dividends at a later date.
http://issuu.com/anneweaver/docs/reports
http://theunquietlibrarian.**wordpress.com/2010/06/01/the-**
http://www.schoollibrarymanagement.com/a-profession-at-the-tipping-point/
http://www.shambles.net/pages/learning/infolit/infolitmod/